RARITAN TOWNSHIP – Although Mercer County did not produce any Region V champions today there was no shortage of drama and determination.

Junior Gordon Wolf of Lawrence High School was the only county wrestler to make it to the finals. Hopewell Valley had senior Eric Barbera and junior Mike Markulec battled through wrestlebacks and also qualify for the NJSIAA wrestling championships this coming weekend in Atlantic City.

The county did have one winner, however, as region coaches voted HoVal coach Mario Harpel Region 5 Coach of the Year.

Other than that, even county neighbor Montgomery came up short as five Cougars began the day with dreams that were ultimately dashed.

None of them qualified for A.C.

Perhaps the most surprising dream dashed was that of Wolf. The undefeated District 17 champion took on East Brunswick sophomore Sean Glasgow, a District 20 champion who placed third in the Middlesex County Conference Tournament.

Wolf, having won 34 straight bouts, fell behind 2-0 and never caught up, eventually losing 7-5.

“I didn’t wrestle my match,’’ he said about 15 minutes afterwards. “I just blanked once I got out there. I don’t even remember the match at all. I don’t remember a lot of details.’’
Asked about the attitude he’ll bring to Boardwalk Hall, he paused and answered, “I don’t know. I’m disappointed in myself.’’

Asked if he had learned anything that might help him next weekend, he paused again, subdued. “Not yet,’’ he said. “Not yet.’’

He came into the day seemingly headed for gold, while teammate and wrestling room partner Mike Jennings seemed poised for the bronze and automatic berth to A.C.
But the junior fell in the consolation finals in the 138-pound bout, 6-5 to District 19 runnerup Humberto Argueta of Perth Amboy.

What was not at all anticipated was Barbera advancing out of the 152-pound bracket. Seeded 11th, he lost in the morning semis, 2-1, then moved onto the consolation finals via injury default where he diced up North Hunterdon District 17 champion Michael Ciavarro 9-3.

“I’m never surprised with Eric,” Harpel said about the team’s co-captain. “It’s really been a four-year effort for him.”

Barbera still has a chipped tooth from freshman year, one visible more than ever with the post-match smile.

“I’m really proud, actually,’’ he said about his accomplishment. “I’m just happy how everyone really helped me and it finally paid off – and I can represent the guys who didn’t make it.’’

He celebrated with chocolate cream cheese on an egg bagel and a tall can of Peach Tea.

Second at District 17 last weekend, his attitude yesterday after losing was simple. “I was thinking, ‘OK, either two more wins or one win and go to Wendy’s.’

“I’ve only been to Atlantic City, once,’’ he noted, “with my father, last year during the tournament. We watched just a few matches; it was pretty amazing in there.’’

Markulec had his undefeated season smashed Friday night when he was pinned in under a minute in the 220 class. He came back strong with an 11-2 win, followed by a pair of first period falls.

“That’s the best sign of who he is,’’ Harpel said of Markulec. “What he did is not easy. It’s brutal. A real champion is able to do that. It’s a good sign of where he is.’’

“Last year I was pinned in the first round and then in the consolation semis,’’ Markulec said, “so I learned from that experience and realized what I had to do to get my mind right. I went home and watched a funny movie and got a good night’s sleep.

“Right after the (Friday) match I was angry, disappointed and sad. All those emotions were rushing through me.’’

Asked if he was troubled by end of his undefeated season, Markulec shook his head and said, “There’s a chance I will have to wrestle back down there, too. It’s how you finish.’’

Hopewell Valley's Mario Harpel was voted Region Coach of the Year at the Region V tournament.Andrew Miller/For The Times